Booker T Washington Vs Dubois

Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois differed on their views on how to assist african americans in their subhuman living conditions faced everyday. Both were aware about the importance of technological advancement for blacks as they thought it was one of the only ways for african americans to make it up higher in society. Washington had the belief that in order to essentially “solve” the race problem in america, african americans needed to “prove” themselves worthy of being reliable and good labor workers. This would fundamentally make them indispensable and a necessity in the economic makeup of the country. Washington felt as if blacks getting an education centered around industrial teachings in order for blacks to to become beneficial
DuBois felt that upward mobility was the best way for blacks to advance or as he called in upperclass leadership. DuBois did a study on the city of philadelphia particularly the people in the city. Dubois studied the top 10% he called an upper class or aristocracy, group two was the respectable working class and the third group of African Americans was referred to as the poor. After finishing the study Dubois concluded that upward mobility was a way for blacks to make change for themselves. In his ideas the first way to do that with education, by educating blacks they could have the knowledge to push through the social constructs and move up social classes. Moving up in social class meant the black community would have black leadership in place forcing change. Dubois wanted guidance from the smartest men of the black community. In DuBois’ philosophy he stated without upward mobility blacks would have to accept their role in society and the white leadership telling them how to live. He called this the trickle down process where blacks would move up in social class by educating themselves and becoming leaders. After becoming leaders they would make the black community more affluent socially forcing acceptance among